Where Are You? Bulgaria!

Bulgaria decided to withdraw in 2013 due to financial difficulties and despite promising signs they'd make a return for Vienna, I didn't work out unfortunately.

Throughout their nine years of participation, Bulgaria only managed to qualify once and this was in 2007 with the incredible Elitsa & Stoyan. They achieved 5th place. I feel Bulgaria should have made the final in 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013. They're so underrated. Bulgaria's most recent effort, Samo Shampioni, was among my favourites that year so I was naturally gutted when duo failed to make the final. If Bulgaria was to return, I want to see either Dess or Azis compete in the contest. That would be fun! I also wouldn't mind seeing Sofi Marinova come back. She was fab! And totally deserved to have qualified.. Bulgaria are set to host Junior Eurovision at the end of the year - hopegully this is a promising sign for Eurovision 2016. Hopefully BNT, the national broadcaster, have now sorted out their finances and will be able to afford participation next year. Plus if Bulgaria ever did win the contest, Sofia is incredibly cheap apparently! :-)

ITALY WINS JUNIOR EUROVISION 2014!

Junior Eurovision isn't something I normally follow but it's had a new lease of life this year. A fantastic show from Malta and many excellent songs. Vincenzo Cantiello will take the trophy home for Italy, on their debut, but now the question is - will RAI want to stage next years edition of the contest? The Italian song wasn't my favourite but I'm happy for them. It's only a matter of time until they win the real thing, in my opinion.. Bulgaria came 2nd (will this entice them to return to Eurovision?) and Armenia somehow came 3rd. Josie from Croatia came last - with San Marino and Montenegro not doing much better. I wanted San Marino to do a little better but had a feeling they wouldn't. And poor Montenegro. Cyprus only achieved 9th place - which I'm kind disappointed about. Sophia's performance was my favourite and damn that girl can sing. She deserved to do better. The full results:

1. 159 - Italy
2. 147 - Bulgaria
3. 146 - Armenia
4. 116 - Malta
5. 096 - Russia
6. 074 - Ukraine
7. 071 - Belarus
8. 070 - The Netherlands
9. 069 - Cyprus
10. 061 - Serbia
11. 054 - Georgia
12. 029 - Slovenia
13. 028 - Sweden
14. 024 - Montenegro
15. 021 - San Marino
16. 013 - Croatia

Photograph - Junior Eurovision